Michigan public libraries are launching summer reading programs that encourages kids,teens even and adults to pick up a book and read.

Bill Disessa is the spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Education.

He says it’s important for parents to set an example by reading. Kids reading skills can get rusty over the summer and cause a slowdown in the fall.

“Often times their teachers have to spend time that they had planned to spend moving forward .But unfortunately due to some sort of back sliding over the summer, they spend some instructions time at the beginning of the new school year going over old plans and old lessons that they should’ve just left the previous year.”

Disessa said the State theme for this summer’s reading programs is wellness,fitness and sports.

The program is also focusing on science,technology,engineering and math or STEM activities.

The Otsego County Library will be hosting a best-selling author next week Monday, November 2nd, to talk about her book — which is set in northern Michigan.

Emily St. John Mandel is the author of Station Eleven. The book was chosen for this year’s Great Michigan Read Program — a book club for libraries across the state.

Jackie Skinner is the Public Services Librarian at the Otsego County Library.

She said a book set in northern Michigan was exciting for the community to read.

“We’re dealing with universal themes that you would normally encounter in fiction, but it gives you that extra added benefit of a local perspective — you know part of it is set in northern Michigan, so there is a lot of familiarity to it.”

Skinner said the community is grateful Mandel is able to come to Gaylord.

“She is going to be coming and giving a presentation at the Gornick auditorium at the Gaylord High School at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, so, we’re very fortunate to have her come through. It’s a nationally known book, it’s been a bestseller, it’s on the national book award finalist list.”

Madel will be discussing her book and giving a presentation, along with time for questions and a book signing.

The event is free and open to the public. Door will open at 6:30 at the Gaylord High School auditorium, and the program will begin at 7.